Single-mode optical fiber

ABSTRACT

A single-mode optical fiber possesses, at a wavelength of 1550 nanometers, an effective area greater than about 90 pm2 without degradation of the optical fiber&#39;s other optical parameters. The single-mode optical fiber includes a central core, a first intermediate cladding, a second intermediate cladding, and an outer cladding. The optical fiber also has a cable cut-off wavelength of less than 1260 nanometers. Additionally, at a wavelength of 1310 nanometers, the optical fiber possesses a mode field diameter of between about 8.6 microns and 9.5 microns. Furthermore, the optical fiber possesses a zero chromatic dispersion wavelength of between about 1300 nanometers and 1324 nanometers and, at the zero chromatic dispersion wavelength, a dispersion slope of less than 0.092 ps/(nm2″km).

CROSS-REFERENCE TO PRIORITY APPLICATIONS

This application further claims the benefit of commonly assigned U.S. Patent Application No. 61/147,590 for a “Fibre Optique Monomode” (filed Jan. 27, 2009), which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

This application claims the benefit of commonly assigned pending French application No. 09/00343 for a “Fibre Optique Monomode” (filed Jan. 27, 2009, at the French Patent Office), which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the field of optical fibers for optical fiber transmission systems and, more specifically, a transmission optical fiber having an enlarged effective area.

BACKGROUND

The index profile of optical fibers is typically described as the graphical appearance of the function that associates the refractive index with the radius of the optical fiber. Conventionally, the distance r to the center of the optical fiber is shown on the x-axis, and the difference between the refractive index (at radius r) and the refractive index of the fiber cladding is shown on the y-axis. The refractive index profile is referred to as a “step” profile, “trapezoidal” profile, “alpha” profile, or “triangular” profile for graphs having the respective shapes of a step, a trapezoid, an alpha, or a triangle. These curves are generally representative of the theoretical or set profile of the optical fiber. Constraints in the manufacture of the optical fiber, however, may result in a slightly different actual profile.

An optical fiber conventionally includes an optical fiber core, which transmits and/or amplifies an optical signal, and an optical cladding, which confines the optical signal within the core. Accordingly, the refractive index of the core n_(c) is typically greater than the refractive index of the cladding n_(g) (i.e., n_(c)>n_(g)). The propagation of an optical signal in a single-mode optical fiber may be broken down into (i) a fundamental mode (i.e., dominant mode) in the core and (ii) secondary modes (i.e., cladding modes) guided over a certain distance in the core-cladding assembly.

Conventionally, step-index fibers, also called single-mode fibers (SMFs), are used as line fibers for optical fiber transmission systems. These optical fibers exhibit chromatic dispersion and a chromatic dispersion slope meeting specific telecommunications standards, as well as standardized cut-off wavelength and effective area values.

To facilitate compatibility between optical systems from different manufacturers, the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) defined a standard reference ITU-T G.652, with which a standard optical transmission fiber (i.e., a standard single-mode fiber or SSMF) should comply. The ITU-T G.652 recommendations and each of its attributes (i.e., A, B, C, and D) are hereby incorporated by reference.

For a transmission fiber, the G.652 standard recommends: (i) at a wavelength of 1310 nanometers, a mode field diameter (MFD or 2W₀₂) of between about 8.6 microns and 9.5 microns with a tolerance of ±0.6 micron (i.e., a MFD of between about 8.0 microns and 10.1 microns); (ii) a cable cut-off wavelength (λ_(cc)) of 1260 nanometers or less; (iii) a zero dispersion wavelength (λ₀ or ZDW) (i.e., the chromatic dispersion coefficient) of between about 1300 and 1324 nanometers; and (iv) a chromatic dispersion slope of 0.092 ps/(nm²·km) or less at the zero dispersion wavelength. Conventionally, the cable cut-off wavelength (λ_(cc)) is measured as the wavelength at which the optical signal is no longer single mode after propagation over 22 meters of optical fiber, such as defined by subcommittee 86A of the International Electrotechnical Commission in the IEC 60793-1-44 standard, which is hereby incorporated by reference.

Increasing the effective area of a transmission fiber typically reduces its nonlinear effects. A transmission optical fiber having an enlarged effective area allows transmission over longer distances and/or increases the operating margins of the transmission system. Typically, standard single-mode fibers (SSMFs) have an effective area A_(eff) of about 80 μm² (i.e., about 80 square-microns).

To increase the effective area of a transmission optical fiber, fiber profiles having an enlarged and flattened core compared with an SSMF have been proposed. Such an alteration in the shape of the optical fiber's core, however, typically leads to an increase in microbending losses as well as an increase in the optical fiber's effective cut-off wavelength (λ_(Ceff)) and cable cut-off wavelength (λ_(cc)). Conventionally, the effective cut-off wavelength (λ_(Ceff)) is measured as the lowest wavelength at which the optical signal is single mode after propagation over two meters of optical fiber as defined by subcommittee 86A of the International Electrotechnical Commission in the IEC 60793-1-44 standard, which, as noted, is incorporated by reference.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,658,190, which is hereby incorporated by reference, describes transmission optical fibers with an effective area enlarged to greater than 110 μm². These optical fibers have a wide core—1.5 to 2 times that of an SSMF—and a configuration with a constant or shallowly depressed cladding. To compensate for the increase in microbending losses caused by an increase in the effective area, this patent proposes increasing the optical-fiber diameter. Increasing the diameter of the optical fiber, however, increases manufacturing costs and leads to cabling problems because of incompatibility with other optical fibers. Additionally, this patent indicates that the cut-off wavelength decreases with the length of the optical fiber under consideration and that the optical fiber achieves a single-mode character after one kilometer of transmission. Such a measurement of the cut-off wavelength, however, does not comply with the aforementioned IEC 60793-1-44 standard. The optical fibers described in this patent have cable cut-off wavelengths greater than 1260 nanometers and zero chromatic dispersion wavelengths of less than 1300 nanometers. The optical fibers of this patent, therefore, do not comply with the recommendations of the G.652 standard.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,614,976, which is hereby incorporated by reference, describes a transmission fiber having high chromatic dispersion at a wavelength of 1550 nanometers to compensate for the negative chromatic dispersion of a Non-Zero-Dispersion Shifted Fiber (NZDSF). The disclosed transmission fiber has an effective area greater than or equal to 90 μm². Nevertheless, the high dispersion results in a cable cut-off wavelength greater than 1260 nanometers and a zero chromatic dispersion wavelength of less than 1300 nanometers. The transmission fiber, therefore, does not comply with the recommendations of the G.652 standard.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,187,833, which is hereby incorporated by reference, describes a transmission fiber having an effective area greater than 80 μm². The transmission fiber has a central core, an intermediate cladding, and a depressed cladding. Such a profile can exhibit leaky modes in the optical fiber, which make it difficult to control the cut-off wavelength.

In brief, none of the foregoing patents discloses an optical fiber possessing, relative to a SSMF, an enlarged effective area that fully complies with the ITU-T G.652 recommendations.

Therefore, there is a need for a transmission fiber having an enlarged effective area (e.g., exceeding 90 μm²) that complies with the G.652 standard.

SUMMARY

Accordingly, in one aspect, the invention embraces an optical fiber that includes a central core, a first intermediate cladding, and a second intermediate cladding (e.g., a ring). Typically, the central core, first intermediate cladding, and second intermediate cladding are designed to enlarge the optical fiber's effective area without adversely affecting other transmission properties.

In an exemplary embodiment, the invention embraces a single-mode optical fiber including a central core, a first intermediate cladding, a second intermediate cladding, and an outer cladding (e.g., an outer optical cladding). Typically, at a wavelength of 1550 nanometers, the optical fiber has an effective area of 90 μm² or more. In this regard, the optical fiber typically possesses a cable cut-off wavelength (λ_(cc)) of less than 1260 nanometers. At a wavelength of 1310 nanometers, the mode field diameter of this exemplary optical fiber is between about 8.6 microns and 9.5 microns with a tolerance of ±0.6 micron (i.e., a MFD or 2W₀₂ of between about 8.0 microns and 10.1 microns). The optical fiber typically possesses a zero chromatic dispersion wavelength of between about 1300 and 1324 nanometers and, at the zero chromatic dispersion wavelength, a chromatic dispersion slope of less than 0.092 ps/(nm²·km).

In another exemplary embodiment, the optical fiber includes a core having a radius (r₁) of between about 4.5 microns and 6 microns and/or an index difference (Δn₁) (i.e., a refractive index difference) with the outer cladding of between about 4.2×10⁻³ and 5.2×10⁻³. Typically, the optical fiber also includes a first intermediate cladding having a radius (r₂) of between about 6.5 microns and 9.5 microns and/or a refractive index difference (Δn₂) with the outer cladding of between about −3.0×10⁻³ and 1.0×10⁻³. The optical fiber typically includes a second intermediate cladding (e.g., a ring) having a radius (r₃) of between about 9.5 microns and 12.5 microns and/or a refractive index difference (Δn₃) with the outer cladding of between about 1×10⁻³ and 5.0×10⁻³.

In some exemplary embodiments, the optical fiber includes, outside the second intermediate cladding, a depressed cladding having a radius (r₄) of between about 14 microns and 17 microns and a refractive index difference (Δn₄) with the outer cladding of between about −10×10⁻³ and −1×10⁻³.

In yet another exemplary embodiment, the invention embraces an optical fiber possessing a standardized ratio (e.g., a normalized ratio) between its effective area and its mode field diameter greater than or equal to 1.27. The optical fiber typically possesses an effective area greater than about 90 μm² and less than about 100 μm². Typically, at a wavelength of 1625 nanometers, the optical fiber exhibits bending losses of less than about 0.05 dB/100 turns (e.g., 5×10⁻⁴ dB/turn) for a bend radius of 30 millimeters (i.e., radius of curvature of 30 millimeters). Furthermore, at a wavelength of 1550 nanometers and under similar testing conditions, the optical fiber typically exhibits microbending losses that are no more than about 50 percent greater than the microbending losses of a standard single-mode fiber (SSMF) (e.g., the ratio of the optical fiber's microbending losses to a standard single-mode fiber's microbending losses is less than or equal to 1.5). In particular, exemplary optical fibers exhibit, at a wavelength of 1550 nanometers, added loss of less than about 5 dB/km (e.g., less than about 3.5 dB/km) as determined via the IEC TR-62221, Method B, fixed-diameter drum test.

The foregoing illustrative summary, as well as other exemplary objectives and/or advantages of the invention, and the manner in which the same are accomplished, are further explained within the following detailed description and its accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 schematically depicts the set profile of an exemplary embodiment of an optical fiber according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 schematically depicts the set profile of another exemplary embodiment of an optical fiber according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In one aspect, the invention embraces a single-mode optical fiber having an enlarged effective area (e.g., exceeding 90 μm²) that is compatible with standard single-mode optical fibers (SSMFs).

Exemplary optical fibers according to the present invention achieve an effective area of at least 90 μm² and yet may retain compliance with the ITU-T G.652 recommendations. Increasing the effective area in a way that does not significantly degrade the optical fiber's other optical parameters facilitates increased power of the transmitted optical signals without increasing the detrimental nonlinear effects.

As depicted in FIG. 1, an exemplary optical fiber includes a central core having an index difference Δn₁ with an outer cladding; a first intermediate inner cladding having an index difference Δn₂ with the outer cladding; and a second intermediate cladding (i.e., a ring) having a positive index difference Δn₃ with the outer cladding. The outer cladding, which functions as an optical cladding, can be made of silica.

The refractive indices in the central core, the first intermediate cladding, and the second intermediate cladding are typically substantially constant throughout their respective widths. In the exemplary embodiment depicted in FIG. 1, the first intermediate cladding (e.g., having a radius r₂ and an index difference Δn_(e)) directly surrounds the central core (r₁, Δn₁), and the second intermediate cladding (r₃, Δn₃) directly surrounds the first intermediate cladding (r₂, Δn₂). Indeed, as shown in FIG. 1, the width of the core is defined by its radius r₁; the width of the intermediate cladding is defined by r₂−r₁ (r₂ minus r₁); and the width of the second intermediate cladding is defined by r₃−r₂ (r₃ minus r₂).

Those having ordinary skill in the art will appreciate, however, that it is within the scope of the present invention for one or more other intermediate cladding layers to be present between the optical fiber's central core and the first intermediate cladding (r₂, Δn₂). Similarly, one or more cladding layers may be present between the first intermediate cladding (r₂, Δn₂) and the second intermediate cladding (r₃, Δn₃). Accordingly, those having ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the width of a particular cladding layer is defined by the difference between that cladding layer's outer radius and its inner radius (i.e., r_(outer)−r_(inner)).

Typically, the central core, the first intermediate cladding, and the second intermediate cladding are obtained by CVD-type deposition in a silica tube and the outer cladding is produced by refilling the tube (e.g., using natural or doped silica). In some exemplary embodiments, the outer cladding is obtained by another deposition technique (e.g., VAD or OVD).

As depicted in FIG. 2, an exemplary optical fiber may include a depressed cladding positioned directly outside the second intermediate cladding. This depressed cladding has an outer radius r₄ and a negative index difference Δn₄ with the outer cladding. Typically, the width of the depressed cladding is defined by r₄−r₃ (i.e., r₄ minus r₃). In other embodiments of the present invention, however, the depressed cladding does not directly surround the second intermediate cladding. In this regard, the width of the depressed cladding is defined by the difference between the depressed cladding's outer radius and the depressed cladding's inner radius.

In an exemplary embodiment, the optical fiber's central core has a radius r₁ of between about 4.5 microns and 6 microns, and an index difference Δn₁ of between 4.2×10⁻³ and 5.2×10⁻³ compared with the outer optical cladding. In this regard, the core of the optical fiber is slightly larger and more flattened than in a standard single-mode fiber (SSMF). The enlargement and flattening of the core make it possible to increase the effective area beyond 90 μm² for a wavelength of 1550 nanometers.

The first intermediate cladding of this exemplary optical fiber has a radius r₂ of between about 6.5 microns and 9.5 microns. The first intermediate cladding typically has an index difference Δn₂ with the outer cladding of between about −3×10⁻³ and 1.0×10⁻³.

This exemplary optical fiber also typically includes a second intermediate cladding (i.e., a ring) having a radius r₃ of between about 9.5 microns and 12.5 microns. The second intermediate cladding typically has an index difference Δn₃ with the outer cladding of between about 1.0×10⁻³ and 5.0×10⁻³. The dimensions of the second intermediate cladding are designed to complement the dimensions of the core and the first intermediate cladding and to facilitate control of the optical fiber's optical properties. In particular, the dimensions of the second intermediate cladding make it possible to maintain, at a wavelength of 1310 nanometers, a mode field diameter of between about 8.6 microns and 9.5 microns (with a tolerance of ±0.6 micron), while also maintaining an effective area greater than 90 μm² at 1550 nanometers and dispersion and cut-off properties that comply with the G.652 recommendations.

In some exemplary embodiments, the optical fiber includes a depressed cladding with (i) a radius r₄ of between about 14 microns and 17 microns and/or (ii) an index difference Δn₄ of between about −10×10⁻³ and −1×10⁻³. The depressed cladding helps to further confine the optical signal within the optical fiber's core. Typically, the depressed cladding's radius r₄ is about 17 microns or less; increasing the depressed cladding's radius can increase the cost of producing the optical fiber.

EXAMPLES

The following tables (below) illustrate aspects of the present invention by providing both comparative and inventive optical-fiber examples (e.g., prophetic examples).

Table I (below) characterizes the index profiles of seven exemplary optical fibers and a comparative standard single-mode fiber (SSMF) having a “step” index profile. The first column provides a reference numeral for each profile. The four following columns provide the respective radii for the core (r₁) and cladding layers (r₂, r₃, and r₄). The last four columns provide the respective refractive index differences for the core (Δn₁) and cladding layers (Δn₂, Δn₃, and Δn₄). The refractive index values are measured at the wavelength of 633 nanometers. The exemplary optical fibers of Table I have an outer diameter of 125 microns, with a tolerance of ±1 micron.

The values in Table I correspond to the set profiles of the exemplary optical fibers. As previously discussed, manufactured optical fibers typically possess refractive index profiles that deviate slightly from their set profiles (i.e., the theoretical refractive-index profiles).

TABLE I Δn₁ Δn₂ Δn₃ Δn₄ Fiber r₁ r₂ r₃ r₄ (×10⁻³) (×10⁻³) (×10⁻³) (×10⁻³) SSMF 4.35 5.2 1 4.80 7.59 9.86 5.0 −0.6 2.0 2 4.73 7.90 9.79 5.0 −0.4 2.3 3 5.10 7.00 9.67 4.9 −2.5 2.2 4 5.00 8.47 11.16 15.68 4.7 −1.7 4.0 −3.0 5 4.85 8.82 12.00 15.58 4.8 −1.0 3.0 −3.4 6 4.97 8.19 11.82 15.49 4.7 −1.4 2.6 −3.0 7 4.51 9.52 11.00 5.1 0.2 2.4

Table II provides the optical properties of the seven exemplary optical fibers and the comparative SSMF of Table I. In Table II, the first column repeats the references of Table I. The following columns provide, for each fiber profile, the values of cable cut-off wavelength (λ_(cc)); mode field diameter (2W₀₂) at 1310 nanometers; effective area (A_(eff)) at 1550 nanometers; the normalized relationship between the effective area at 1550 nanometers and the mode field diameter at 1310 nanometers; chromatic dispersion (D) at 1550 nanometers; and slope (P) of the chromatic dispersion at 1550 nanometers; zero chromatic dispersion wavelength (ZDW); chromatic dispersion slope (P_(ZDW)) at the zero chromatic dispersion wavelength; and bending losses (BL) at the wavelength of 1625 nanometers for a bend radius of 30 millimeters.

TABLE II P_(ZDW) BL λ_(CC) 2W₀₂ A_(eff) A_(eff)/π D P ZDW @ ZDW (dB/100 Fiber (nm) (μm) (μm²) (W₀₂)² (ps/(nm · km)) (ps/(nm² · km)) (nm) (ps/(nm² · km)) turns) SSMF 1240 9.2 82 1.21 16.8 0.058 1315 0.086 <0.05 1 <1260 9.5 92 1.28 16.2 0.058 1315 0.085 <0.05 2 <1260 9.5 91 1.27 16.2 0.058 1315 0.084 <0.05 3 <1260 9.5 93 1.29 16.0 0.057 1310 0.084 <0.05 4 <1260 9.5 92 1.30 16.1 0.057 1310 0.083 <0.05 5 <1260 9.5 91 1.29 16.1 0.057 1310 0.083 <0.05 6 <1260 9.5 92 1.29 16.1 0.057 1310 0.083 <0.05 7 <1260 9.5 91 1.27 16.0 0.058 1315 0.085 <0.05

Table II shows that, for the seven exemplary optical fibers, the normalized ratio between the effective area A_(eff) at 1550 nanometers and the mode field diameter 2W₀₂ at 1310 nanometers is greater than or equal to 1.27 (i.e., normalized ratio=A_(eff)÷(π×(W₀₂)²).

In this regard, an optical fiber having normalized ratios of 1.27 or more may possess an effective area greater than about 90 μm² while retaining a mode field diameter (2W₀₂) of between about 8.6 microns and 9.5 microns (with a tolerance of ±0.6 micron in accordance with the G.652 recommendations).

Table II shows that exemplary optical Fibers 1-7 comply with the G.652 standard. In this regard, for each exemplary optical fiber, the cable cut-off wavelength (λ_(cc)) is less than 1260 nanometers; the zero chromatic dispersion wavelength (ZDW) is typically between about 1300 nanometers and 1324 nanometers, and the chromatic dispersion slope is less than 0.092 ps/(nm²·km). Therefore, the exemplary optical fibers have high effective areas and comply with the recommendations of the G.652 standard.

Furthermore, bending losses are less than or equal to 0.05 dB/100 turns. These macrobending loss values are equivalent to those of a standard step-index profile G.652 optical fiber (i.e., a SSMF).

Moreover, the exemplary optical fibers exhibit microbending losses such that the ratio of each exemplary optical fiber's microbending losses to the SSMF's microbending losses is less than or equal to 1.5 (i.e., when subjected to identical constraints). Those having ordinary skill in the art will recognize that an exemplary SSMF has a simple step-index profile and meets all of the ITU-T G.652 recommendations (see e.g., the refractive index profile of the comparative single-mode optical fiber (SSMF) provided in Table I).

In particular, exemplary optical fibers exhibit, at a wavelength of 1550 nanometers, added loss of less than about 5 dB/km (e.g., less than about 3.5 dB/km) using the IEC TR-62221, Method B, fixed-diameter drum test. In this regard and by way of comparison, a standard single-mode optical fiber (SSMF) typically exhibits added loss of between about 1 dB/km and 3 dB/km.

The microbending losses can be measured, for example, by the fixed diameter drum method. The fixed diameter drum method is described in the technical recommendation of the IEC subcommittee 86A under the reference IEC TR-62221 (e.g., Method B) and is hereby incorporated by reference.

The IEC TR62221 microbending-sensitivity technical report (e.g., IEC TR62221, Method B, Ed. 1) and standard test procedures measure added loss using a fixed-diameter sandpaper drum procedure. The IEC fixed-diameter sandpaper drum test (i.e., IEC TR62221, Method B) provides a microbending stress situation that affects single-mode fibers even at room temperature.

In accordance with IEC TR62221, Method B, initial attenuation is measured on a sample of optical fiber wound on a shipping spool. The sandpaper provides a rough surface that subjects the optical fiber to thousands, if not millions, of stress points. A fiber spool with a minimum diameter of 200 millimeters is wrapped with adhesive-backed, 40-micron grade sandpaper (i.e., approximately equivalent to 300-grit sandpaper) to create a rough surface. Then, fiber samples of at least 400 meters are wound at about 3 N (i.e., a tension of about 300 gf on a 300-mm diameter cylinder), and attenuation is measured at 23° C. Added loss due to microbending stresses is calculated as the difference between the initial attenuation measurement and the attenuation measurement when the optical fiber is on the sandpaper drum. For the sake of convenience, this particular implementation of the IEC TR62221, Method B, is herein referred to as the “Fixed-Diameter Sandpaper-Drum Test.”

The macrobending losses of the fiber during the Fixed-Diameter Sandpaper-Drum Test are typically negligible. As such, the measured added loss is attributed to microbending effects.

Typically, an optical fiber according to the present invention has an effective area value that is greater than that of a standard single-mode fiber (SSMF). The effective area, however, is typically less than 100 μm² to comply with the G.652 standard.

The profiles of exemplary optical fibers according to the present invention are designed to achieve high effective area while maintaining optical parameters in compliance with the G.652 standard. Tables I and II illustrate exemplary radius and index values that achieve an optical fiber having high effective area yet complying with the G.652 standard.

By way of observation and without being bound to any theory, if the radius of the core r₁ is less than 4.5 microns and if Δn₁ exceeds 5.5×10⁻³, the effective area will typically be less than 90 μm². If r₁ exceeds 6 microns, then the mode field diameter (2W₀₂), the cable cut-off wavelength (λ_(cc)), and the zero chromatic dispersion wavelength (ZDW) typically have values that fail to satisfy the G.652 standard.

Similarly, if r₂ is too small, the mode field diameter (2W₀₂) may exceed the maximum value of 9.5 microns (±0.6 micron) imposed by the G.652 standard; and if r₂ is too large, the effective area will typically be less than 90 μm².

Moreover, if r₃ is too small, the effective area will typically be less than 90 μm². If r₃ is too large, the mode field diameter (2W₀₂) may exceed 9.5 microns (±0.6 micron), and the cable cut-off wavelength (λ_(cc)) may exceed 1260 nanometers.

The optical fiber according to the invention is particularly suited for C-band long-distance transmission systems. As noted, increasing the effective area, without significantly degrading the other optical parameters of the optical fiber, facilitates an increase in the power of the optical signals transmitted without increasing the nonlinear effects. In this regard, the signal-to-noise ratio of the transmission line is improved, which is particularly desirable in land-based or underwater long-distance optical transmission systems.

Moreover, the optical fiber according to the invention typically complies with the ITU G.652 standard. Accordingly, optical fibers according to the invention exhibit good compatibility with other single-mode optical fibers when installed in transmission systems.

The present invention is not limited to the foregoing exemplary embodiments. For example, it is within the scope of the present invention to employ an optical fiber in combination with a polychromatic source, such as light-emitting diodes (LEDs).

The present fibers may facilitate the reduction in overall optical-fiber diameter. As will be appreciated by those having ordinary skill in the art, a reduced-diameter optical fiber is cost-effective, requiring less raw material. Moreover, a reduced-diameter optical fiber requires less deployment space (e.g., within a buffer tube and/or fiber optic cable), thereby facilitating increased fiber count and/or reduced cable size.

Those having ordinary skill in the art will recognize that an optical fiber with a primary coating (and an optional secondary coating and/or ink layer) typically has an outer diameter of between about 235 microns and about 265 microns (μm). The component glass fiber itself (i.e., the glass core and surrounding cladding layers) typically has a diameter of about 125 microns, such that the total coating thickness is typically between about 55 microns and 70 microns.

With respect to the present optical fiber, the component glass fiber typically has an outer diameter of about 125 microns. With respect to the optical fiber's surrounding coating layers, the primary coating typically has an outer diameter of between about 175 microns and about 195 microns (i.e., a primary coating thickness of between about 25 microns and 35 microns) and the secondary coating typically has an outer diameter of between about 235 microns and about 265 microns (i.e., a secondary coating thickness of between about 20 microns and 45 microns). Optionally, the present optical fiber may include an outermost ink layer, which is typically between two and ten microns in thickness.

In one alternative embodiment, an optical fiber may possess a reduced diameter (e.g., an outermost diameter between about 150 microns and 230 microns). In this alternative optical fiber configuration, the thickness of the primary coating and/or secondary coating is reduced, while the diameter of the component glass fiber is maintained at about 125 microns. (Those having ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that, unless otherwise specified, diameter measurements refer to outer diameters.)

By way of illustration, in such exemplary embodiments the primary coating layer may have an outer diameter of between about 135 microns and about 175 microns (e.g., about 160 microns), typically less than 165 microns (e.g., between about 135 microns and 150 microns) and usually more than 140 microns (e.g., between about 145 microns and 155 microns, such as about 150 microns).

Moreover, in such exemplary embodiments the secondary coating layer may have an outer diameter of between about 150 microns and about 230 microns (e.g., more than about 165 microns, such as 190-210 microns or so), typically between about 180 microns and 200 microns. In other words, the total diameter of the optical fiber is reduced to less than about 230 microns (e.g., between about 195 microns and 205 microns, and especially about 200 microns). By way of further illustration, an optical fiber may employ a secondary coating of about 197 microns at a tolerance of +/−5 microns (i.e., a secondary-coating outer diameter of between 192 microns to 202 microns). Typically, the secondary coating will retain a thickness of at least about 10 microns (e.g., an optical fiber having a reduced thickness secondary coating of between 15 microns and 25 microns).

In another alternative embodiment, the outer diameter of the component glass fiber may be reduced to less than 125 microns (e.g., between about 60 microns and 120 microns), perhaps between about 70 microns and 115 microns (e.g., about 80-110 microns). This may be achieved, for instance, by reducing the thickness of one or more cladding layers. As compared with the prior alternative embodiment, (i) the total diameter of the optical fiber may be reduced (i.e., the thickness of the primary and secondary coatings are maintained in accordance with the prior alternative embodiment) or (ii) the respective thicknesses of the primary and/or secondary coatings may be increased relative to the prior alternative embodiment (e.g., such that the total diameter of the optical fiber might be maintained).

By way of illustration, with respect to the former, a component glass fiber having a diameter of between about 90 and 100 microns might be combined with a primary coating layer having an outer diameter of between about 110 microns and 150 microns (e.g., about 125 microns) and a secondary coating layer having an outer diameter of between about 130 microns and 190 microns (e.g., about 155 microns). With respect to the latter, a component glass fiber having a diameter of between about 90 and 100 microns might be combined with a primary coating layer having an outer diameter of between about 120 microns and 140 microns (e.g., about 130 microns) and a secondary coating layer having an outer diameter of between about 160 microns and 230 microns (e.g., about 195-200 microns).

Reducing the diameter of the component glass fiber might make the resulting optical fiber more susceptible to microbending attenuation. That said, the advantages of further reducing optical-fiber diameter may be worthwhile for some optical-fiber applications.

As noted, the present optical fiber may include one or more coating layers (e.g., a primary coating and a secondary coating). At least one of the coating layers—typically the secondary coating—may be colored and/or possess other markings to help identify individual fibers. Alternatively, a tertiary ink layer may surround the primary and secondary coatings.

The present optical fiber may be deployed in various structures, such as those exemplary structures disclosed hereinafter.

For example, one or more of the present optical fibers may be enclosed within a buffer tube. For instance, optical fiber may be deployed in either a single-fiber loose buffer tube or a multi-fiber loose buffer tube. With respect to the latter, multiple optical fibers may be bundled or stranded within a buffer tube or other structure. In this regard, within a multi-fiber loose buffer tube, fiber sub-bundles may be separated with binders (e.g., each fiber sub-bundle is enveloped in a binder). Moreover, fan-out tubing may be installed at the termination of such loose buffer tubes to directly terminate loose buffered optical fibers with field-installed connectors.

In other embodiments, the buffer tube may tightly surround the outermost optical fiber coating (i.e., tight buffered fiber) or otherwise surround the outermost optical-fiber coating or ink layer to provide an exemplary radial clearance of between about 50 and 100 microns (i.e., a semi-tight buffered fiber).

With respect to the former tight buffered fiber, the buffering may be formed by coating the optical fiber with a curable composition (e.g., a UV-curable material) or a thermoplastic material. The outer diameter of tight buffer tubes, regardless of whether the buffer tube is formed from a curable or non-curable material, is typically less than about 1,000 microns (e.g., either about 500 microns or about 900 microns).

With respect to the latter semi-tight buffered fiber, a lubricant may be included between the optical fiber and the buffer tube (e.g., to provide a gliding layer).

As will be known by those having ordinary skill in the art, an exemplary buffer tube enclosing optical fibers as disclosed herein may be formed of polyolefins (e.g., polyethylene or polypropylene), including fluorinated polyolefins, polyesters (e.g., polybutylene terephthalate), polyamides (e.g., nylon), as well as other polymeric materials and blends. In general, a buffer tube may be formed of one or more layers. The layers may be homogeneous or include mixtures or blends of various materials within each layer.

In this context, the buffer tube may be extruded (e.g., an extruded polymeric material) or pultruded (e.g., a pultruded, fiber-reinforced plastic). By way of example, the buffer tube may include a material to provide high temperature and chemical resistance (e.g., an aromatic material or polysulfone material).

Although buffer tubes typically have a circular cross section, buffer tubes alternatively may have an irregular or non-circular shape (e.g., an oval or a trapezoidal cross-section).

Alternatively, one or more of the present optical fibers may simply be surrounded by an outer protective sheath or encapsulated within a sealed metal tube. In either structure, no intermediate buffer tube is necessarily required.

Multiple optical fibers as disclosed herein may be sandwiched, encapsulated, and/or edge bonded to form an optical fiber ribbon. Optical fiber ribbons can be divisible into subunits (e.g., a twelve-fiber ribbon that is splittable into six-fiber subunits). Moreover, a plurality of such optical fiber ribbons may be aggregated to form a ribbon stack, which can have various sizes and shapes.

For example, it is possible to form a rectangular ribbon stack or a ribbon stack in which the uppermost and lowermost optical fiber ribbons have fewer optical fibers than those toward the center of the stack. This construction may be useful to increase the density of optical elements (e.g., optical fibers) within the buffer tube and/or cable.

In general, it is desirable to increase the filling of transmission elements in buffer tubes or cables, subject to other constraints (e.g., cable or mid-span attenuation). The optical elements themselves may be designed for increased packing density. For example, the optical fiber may possess modified properties, such as improved refractive-index profile, core or cladding dimensions, or primary-coating thickness and/or modulus, to improve microbending and macrobending characteristics.

By way of example, a rectangular ribbon stack may be formed with or without a central twist (i.e., a “primary twist”). Those having ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that a ribbon stack is typically manufactured with rotational twist to allow the tube or cable to bend without placing excessive mechanical stress on the optical fibers during winding, installation, and use. In a structural variation, a twisted (or untwisted) rectangular ribbon stack may be further formed into a coil-like configuration (e.g., a helix) or a wave-like configuration (e.g., a sinusoid). In other words, the ribbon stack may possess regular “secondary” deformations.

As will be known to those having ordinary skill in the art, such optical fiber ribbons may be positioned within a buffer tube or other surrounding structure, such as a buffer-tube-free cable. Subject to certain restraints (e.g., attenuation) it is desirable to increase the density of elements such as optical fibers or optical fiber ribbons within buffer tubes and/or optical fiber cables.

A plurality of buffer tubes containing optical fibers (e.g., loose or ribbonized fibers) may be positioned externally adjacent to and stranded around a central strength member. This stranding can be accomplished in one direction, helically, known as “S” or “Z” stranding, or Reverse Oscillated Lay stranding, known as “S-Z” stranding. Stranding about the central strength member reduces optical fiber strain when cable strain occurs during installation and use.

Those having ordinary skill in the art will understand the benefit of minimizing fiber strain for both tensile cable strain and longitudinal compressive cable strain during installation or operating conditions.

With respect to tensile cable strain, which may occur during installation, the cable will become longer while the optical fibers can migrate closer to the cable's neutral axis to reduce, if not eliminate, the strain being translated to the optical fibers. With respect to longitudinal compressive strain, which may occur at low operating temperatures due to shrinkage of the cable components, the optical fibers will migrate farther away from the cable's neutral axis to reduce, if not eliminate, the compressive strain being translated to the optical fibers.

In a variation, two or more substantially concentric layers of buffer tubes may be positioned around a central strength member. In a further variation, multiple stranding elements (e.g., multiple buffer tubes stranded around a strength member) may themselves be stranded around each other or around a primary central strength member.

Alternatively, a plurality of buffer tubes containing optical fibers (e.g., loose or ribbonized fibers) may be simply placed externally adjacent to the central strength member (i.e., the buffer tubes are not intentionally stranded or arranged around the central strength member in a particular manner and run substantially parallel to the central strength member).

Alternatively still, the present optical fibers may be positioned within a central buffer tube (i.e., the central buffer tube cable has a central buffer tube rather than a central strength member). Such a central buffer tube cable may position strength members elsewhere. For instance, metallic or non-metallic (e.g., GRP) strength members may be positioned within the cable sheath itself, and/or one or more layers of high-strength yarns (e.g., aramid or non-aramid yarns) may be positioned parallel to or wrapped (e.g., contrahelically) around the central buffer tube (i.e., within the cable's interior space). Likewise, strength members can be included within the buffer tube's casing.

In other embodiments, the optical fibers may be placed within a slotted core cable. In a slotted core cable, optical fibers, individually or as a fiber ribbon, may be placed within pre-shaped helical grooves (i.e., channels) on the surface of a central strength member, thereby forming a slotted core unit. The slotted core unit may be enclosed by a buffer tube. One or more of such slotted core units may be placed within a slotted core cable. For example, a plurality of slotted core units may be helically stranded around a central strength member.

Alternatively, the optical fibers may also be stranded in a maxitube cable design, whereby the optical fibers are stranded around themselves within a large multi-fiber loose buffer tube rather than around a central strength member. In other words, the large multi-fiber loose buffer tube is centrally positioned within the maxitube cable. For example, such maxitube cables may be deployed in optical ground wires (OPGW).

In another cabling embodiment, multiple buffer tubes may be stranded around themselves without the presence of a central member. These stranded buffer tubes may be surrounded by a protective tube. The protective tube may serve as the outer casing of the fiber optic cable or may be further surrounded by an outer sheath. The protective tube may tightly or loosely surround the stranded buffer tubes.

As will be known to those having ordinary skill in the art, additional elements may be included within a cable core. For example, copper cables or other active, transmission elements may be stranded or otherwise bundled within the cable sheath. Passive elements may also be placed within the cable core, such as between the interior walls of the buffer tubes and the enclosed optical fibers. Alternatively and by way of example, passive elements may be placed outside the buffer tubes between the respective exterior walls of the buffer tubes and the interior wall of the cable jacket, or, within the interior space of a buffer-tube-free cable.

For example, yarns, nonwovens, fabrics (e.g., tapes), foams, or other materials containing water-swellable material and/or coated with water-swellable materials (e.g., including super absorbent polymers (SAPs), such as SAP powder) may be employed to provide water blocking and/or to couple the optical fibers to the surrounding buffer tube and/or cable jacketing (e.g., via adhesion, friction, and/or compression). Exemplary water-swellable elements are disclosed in commonly assigned U.S. Pat. No. 7,515,795 for a Water-Swellable Tape, Adhesive-Backed for Coupling When Used Inside a Buffer Tube, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

Moreover, an adhesive (e.g., a hot-melt adhesive or curable adhesive, such as a silicone acrylate cross-linked by exposure to actinic radiation) may be provided on one or more passive elements (e.g., water-swellable material) to bond the elements to the buffer tube. An adhesive material may also be used to bond the water-swellable element to optical fibers within the buffer tube. Exemplary arrangements of such elements are disclosed in commonly assigned U.S. Pat. No. 7,599,589 for a Gel-Free Buffer Tube with Adhesively Coupled Optical Element, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

The buffer tubes (or buffer-tube-free cables) may also contain a thixotropic composition (e.g., grease or grease-like gels) between the optical fibers and the interior walls of the buffer tubes. For example, filling the free space inside a buffer tube with water-blocking, petroleum-based filling grease helps to block the ingress of water. Further, the thixotropic filling grease mechanically (i.e., viscously) couples the optical fibers to the surrounding buffer tube.

Such thixotropic filling greases are relatively heavy and messy, thereby hindering connection and splicing operations. Thus, the present optical fibers may be deployed in dry cable structures (i.e., grease-free buffer tubes).

Exemplary buffer tube structures that are free from thixotropic filling greases are disclosed in commonly assigned U.S. Patent Application Publication No. US2009/0003785 A1 for a Coupling Composition for Optical Fiber Cables (Parris et al.), which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. Such buffer tubes employ coupling compositions formed from a blend of high-molecular weight elastomeric polymers (e.g., about 35 weight percent or less) and oils (e.g., about 65 weight percent or more) that flow at low temperatures. Unlike thixotropic filling greases, the coupling composition (e.g., employed as a cohesive gel or foam) is typically dry and, therefore, less messy during splicing.

As will be understood by those having ordinary skill in the art, a cable enclosing optical fibers as disclosed herein may have a sheath formed from various materials in various designs. Cable sheathing may be formed from polymeric materials such as, for example, polyethylene, polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyamides (e.g., nylon), polyester (e.g., PBT), fluorinated plastics (e.g., perfluorethylene propylene, polyvinyl fluoride, or polyvinylidene difluoride), and ethylene vinyl acetate. The sheath and/or buffer tube materials may also contain other additives, such as nucleating agents, flame-retardants, smoke-retardants, antioxidants, UV absorbers, and/or plasticizers.

The cable sheathing may be a single jacket formed from a dielectric material (e.g., non-conducting polymers), with or without supplemental structural components that may be used to improve the protection (e.g., from rodents) and strength provided by the cable sheath. For example, one or more layers of metallic (e.g., steel) tape along with one or more dielectric jackets may form the cable sheathing. Metallic or fiberglass reinforcing rods (e.g., GRP) may also be incorporated into the sheath. In addition, aramid, fiberglass, or polyester yarns may be employed under the various sheath materials (e.g., between the cable sheath and the cable core), and/or ripcords may be positioned, for example, within the cable sheath.

Similar to buffer tubes, optical fiber cable sheaths typically have a circular cross section, but cable sheaths alternatively may have an irregular or non-circular shape (e.g., an oval, trapezoidal, or flat cross-section).

By way of example, the present optical fiber may be incorporated into single-fiber drop cables, such as those employed for Multiple Dwelling Unit (MDU) applications. In such deployments, the cable jacketing must exhibit crush resistance, abrasion resistance, puncture resistance, thermal stability, and fire resistance as required by building codes. An exemplary material for such cable jackets is thermally stable, flame-retardant polyurethane (PUR), which mechanically protects the optical fibers yet is sufficiently flexible to facilitate easy MDU installations. Alternatively, a flame-retardant polyolefin or polyvinyl chloride sheath may be used.

In general and as will be known to those having ordinary skill in the art, a strength member is typically in the form of a rod or braided/helically wound wires or fibers, though other configurations will be within the knowledge of those having ordinary skill in the art.

Optical fiber cables containing optical fibers as disclosed may be variously deployed, including as drop cables, distribution cables, feeder cables, trunk cables, and stub cables, each of which may have varying operational requirements (e.g., temperature range, crush resistance, UV resistance, and minimum bend radius).

Such optical fiber cables may be installed within ducts, microducts, plenums, or risers. By way of example, an optical fiber cable may be installed in an existing duct or microduct by pulling or blowing (e.g., using compressed air). An exemplary cable installation method is disclosed in commonly assigned U.S. Pat. No. 7,574,095 for a Communication Cable Assembly and Installation Method, (Lock et al.), and U.S. Patent Application Publication No. US2008/0317410 for a Modified Pre-Ferrulized Communication Cable Assembly and Installation Method, (Griffioen et al.), each of which is incorporated by reference in its entirety.

As noted, buffer tubes containing optical fibers (e.g., loose or ribbonized fibers) may be stranded (e.g., around a central strength member). In such configurations, an optical fiber cable's protective outer sheath may have a textured outer surface that periodically varies lengthwise along the cable in a manner that replicates the stranded shape of the underlying buffer tubes. The textured profile of the protective outer sheath can improve the blowing performance of the optical fiber cable. The textured surface reduces the contact surface between the cable and the duct or microduct and increases the friction between the blowing medium (e.g., air) and the cable. The protective outer sheath may be made of a low coefficient-of-friction material, which can facilitate blown installation. Moreover, the protective outer sheath can be provided with a lubricant to further facilitate blown installation.

In general, to achieve satisfactory long-distance blowing performance (e.g., between about 3,000 to 5,000 feet or more), the outer cable diameter of an optical fiber cable should be no more than about 70 to 80 percent of the duct's or microduct's inner diameter.

Compressed air may also be used to install optical fibers in an air blown fiber system. In an air blown fiber system, a network of unfilled cables or microducts is installed prior to the installation of optical fibers. Optical fibers may subsequently be blown into the installed cables as necessary to support the network's varying requirements.

Moreover, the optical fiber cables may be directly buried in the ground or, as an aerial cable, suspended from a pole or pylon. An aerial cable may be self-supporting, or secured or lashed to a support (e.g., messenger wire or another cable). Exemplary aerial fiber optic cables include overhead ground wires (OPGW), all-dielectric self-supporting cables (ADSS), all dielectric lash cables (AD-Lash), and figure-eight cables, each of which is well understood by those having ordinary skill in the art. (Figure-eight cables and other designs can be directly buried or installed into ducts, and may optionally include a toning element, such as a metallic wire, so that they can be found with a metal detector.

In addition, although the optical fibers may be further protected by an outer cable sheath, the optical fiber itself may be further reinforced so that the optical fiber may be included within a breakout cable, which allows for the individual routing of individual optical fibers.

To effectively employ the present optical fibers in a transmission system, connections are required at various points in the network. Optical fiber connections are typically made by fusion splicing, mechanical splicing, or mechanical connectors.

The mating ends of connectors can be installed to the fiber ends either in the field (e.g., at the network location) or in a factory prior to installation into the network. The ends of the connectors are mated in the field in order to connect the fibers together or connect the fibers to the passive or active components. For example, certain optical fiber cable assemblies (e.g., furcation assemblies) can separate and convey individual optical fibers from a multiple optical fiber cable to connectors in a protective manner.

The deployment of such optical fiber cables may include supplemental equipment, which itself may employ the present optical fiber as previously disclosed. For instance, an amplifier may be included to improve optical signals. Dispersion compensating modules may be installed to reduce the effects of chromatic dispersion and polarization mode dispersion. Splice boxes, pedestals, and distribution frames, which may be protected by an enclosure, may likewise be included. Additional elements include, for example, remote terminal switches, optical network units, optical splitters, and central office switches.

A cable containing the present optical fibers may be deployed for use in a communication system (e.g., networking or telecommunications). A communication system may include fiber optic cable architecture such as fiber-to-the-node (FTTN), fiber-to-the-telecommunications enclosure (FTTE), fiber-to-the-curb (FTTC), fiber-to-the-building (FTTB), and fiber-to-the-home (FTTH), as well as long-haul or metro architecture. Moreover, an optical module or a storage box that includes a housing may receive a wound portion of the optical fiber disclosed herein. By way of example, the optical fiber may be wound with a bending radius of less than about 15 millimeters (e.g., 10 millimeters or less, such as about 5 millimeters) in the optical module or the storage box.

Moreover, present optical fibers may be used in other applications, including, without limitation, fiber optic sensors or illumination applications (e.g., lighting).

The present optical fibers may include Fiber Bragg Grating (FBG). As will be known by those having ordinary skill in the art, FBG is a periodic or aperiodic variation in the refractive index of an optical fiber core and/or cladding. This variation in the refractive index results in a range of wavelengths (e.g., a narrow range) being reflected rather than transmitted, with maximum reflectivity occurring at the Bragg wavelength.

Fiber Bragg Grating is commonly written into an optical fiber by exposing the optical fiber to an intense source of ultraviolet light (e.g., a UV laser). In this respect, UV photons may have enough energy to break molecular bonds within an optical fiber, which alters the structure of the fiber, thereby increasing the fiber's refractive index. Moreover, dopants (e.g., boron or germanium) and/or hydrogen loading can be employed to increase photosensitivity.

In order to expose a coated glass fiber to UV light for the creation of FBG, the coating may be removed. Alternatively, coatings that are transparent at the particular UV wavelengths (e.g., the UV wavelengths emitted by a UV laser to write FBG) may be employed to render coating removal unnecessary. In addition, silicone, polyimide, acrylate, or PFCB coatings, for instance, may be employed for high-temperature applications.

A particular FBG pattern may be created by employing (i) a photomask placed between the UV light source and the optical fiber, (ii) interference between multiple UV light beams, which interfere with each other in accordance with the desired FBG pattern (e.g., a uniform, chirped, or titled pattern), or (iii) a narrow UV light beam for creating individual variations. The FBG structure may have, for example, a uniform positive-only index change, a Gaussian-apodized index change, a raised-cosine-apodized index change, or a discrete phase shift index change. Multiple FBG patterns may be combined on a single optical fiber.

Optical fibers having FBG may be employed in various sensing applications (e.g., for detecting vibration, temperature, pressure, moisture, or movement). In this respect, changes in the optical fiber (e.g., a change in temperature) result in a shift in the Bragg wavelength, which is measured by a sensor. FBG may be used to identify a particular optical fiber (e.g., if the fiber is broken into pieces).

Fiber Bragg Grating may also be used in various active or passive communication components (e.g., wavelength-selective filters, multiplexers, demultiplexers, Mach-Zehnder interferometers, distributed Bragg reflector lasers, pump/laser stabilizers, and supervisory channels).

To supplement the present disclosure, this application incorporates entirely by reference the following commonly assigned patents, patent application publications, and patent applications: U.S. Pat. No. 4,838,643 for a Single Mode Bend Insensitive Fiber for Use in Fiber Optic Guidance Applications (Hodges et al.); U.S. Pat. No. 7,623,747 for a Single Mode Optical Fiber (de Montmorillon et al.); U.S. Pat. No. 7,587,111 for a Single-Mode Optical Fiber (de Montmorillon et al.); U.S. Pat. No. 7,356,234 for a Chromatic Dispersion Compensating Fiber (de Montmorillon et al.); U.S. Pat. No. 7,483,613 for a Chromatic Dispersion Compensating Fiber (de Montmorillon et al.); U.S. Pat. No. 7,555,186 for an Optical Fiber (Flammer et al.); U.S. Patent Application Publication No. US2009/0252469 A1 for a Dispersion-Shifted Optical Fiber (Sillard et al.); U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/098,804 for a Transmission Optical Fiber Having Large Effective Area (Sillard et al.), filed Apr. 7, 2008; International Patent Application Publication No. WO 2009/062131 A1 for a Microbend-Resistant Optical Fiber, (Overton); U.S. Patent Application Publication No. US2009/0175583 A1 for a Microbend-Resistant Optical Fiber, (Overton); U.S. Patent Application Publication No. US2009/0279835 A1 for a Single-Mode Optical Fiber Having Reduced Bending Losses, filed May 6, 2009, (de Montmorillon et al.); U.S. Patent Application Publication No. US2009/0279836 A1 for a Bend-Insensitive Single-Mode Optical Fiber, filed May 6, 2009, (de Montmorillon et al.); U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/489,995 for a Wavelength Multiplexed Optical System with Multimode Optical Fibers, filed Jun. 23, 2009, (Lumineau et al.); U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/498,439 for a Multimode Optical Fibers, filed Jul. 7, 2009, (Gholami et al.); U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/614,011 for a Reduced-Diameter Optical Fiber, filed Nov. 6, 2009, (Overton); U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/614,172 for a Multimode Optical System, filed Nov. 6, 2009, (Gholami et al.); U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/617,316 for an Amplifying Optical Fiber and Method of Manufacturing, filed Nov. 12, 2009, (Pastouret et al.) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/629,495 for an Amplifying Optical Fiber and Production Method, filed Dec. 2, 2009, (Pastouret et al.); U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/633,229 for an Ionizing Radiation-Resistant Optical Fiber Amplifier, filed Dec. 8, 2009, (Regnier et al.); U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/636,277 for a Buffered Optical Fiber, filed Dec. 11, 2009, (Testu et al.); U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/683,775 for a Method of Classifying a Graded-Index Multimode Optical Fiber, filed Jan. 7, 2010, (Gholami et al.); U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/692,161 for a Single-Mode Optical fiber, filed Jan. 22, 2010, (Richard et al.); and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/694,533 for a Single-Mode Optical Fiber Having an Enlarged Effective Area, filed Jan. 27, 2010, (Sillard et al.).

To supplement the present disclosure, this application further incorporates entirely by reference the following commonly assigned patents, patent application publications, and patent applications: U.S. Pat. No. 5,574,816 for Polypropylene-Polyethylene Copolymer Buffer Tubes for Optical Fiber Cables and Method for Making the Same; U.S. Pat. No. 5,717,805 for Stress Concentrations in an Optical Fiber Ribbon to Facilitate Separation of Ribbon Matrix Material; U.S. Pat. No. 5,761,362 for Polypropylene-Polyethylene Copolymer Buffer Tubes for Optical Fiber Cables and Method for Making the Same; U.S. Pat. No. 5,911,023 for Polyolefin Materials Suitable for Optical Fiber Cable Components; U.S. Pat. No. 5,982,968 for Stress Concentrations in an Optical Fiber Ribbon to Facilitate Separation of Ribbon Matrix Material; U.S. Pat. No. 6,035,087 for an Optical Unit for Fiber Optic Cables; U.S. Pat. No. 6,066,397 for Polypropylene Filler Rods for Optical Fiber Communications Cables; U.S. Pat. No. 6,175,677 for an Optical Fiber Multi-Ribbon and Method for Making the Same; U.S. Pat. No. 6,085,009 for Water Blocking Gels Compatible with Polyolefin Optical Fiber Cable Buffer Tubes and Cables Made Therewith; U.S. Pat. No. 6,215,931 for Flexible Thermoplastic Polyolefin Elastomers for Buffering Transmission Elements in a Telecommunications Cable; U.S. Pat. No. 6,134,363 for a Method for Accessing Optical Fibers in the Midspan Region of an Optical Fiber Cable; U.S. Pat. No. 6,381,390 for a Color-Coded Optical Fiber Ribbon and Die for Making the Same; U.S. Pat. No. 6,181,857 for a Method for Accessing Optical Fibers Contained in a Sheath; U.S. Pat. No. 6,314,224 for a Thick-Walled Cable Jacket with Non-Circular Cavity Cross Section; U.S. Pat. No. 6,334,016 for an Optical Fiber Ribbon Matrix Material Having Optimal Handling Characteristics; U.S. Pat. No. 6,321,012 for an Optical Fiber Having Water Swellable Material for Identifying Grouping of Fiber Groups; U.S. Pat. No. 6,321,014 for a Method for Manufacturing Optical Fiber Ribbon; U.S. Pat. No. 6,210,802 for Polypropylene Filler Rods for Optical Fiber Communications Cables; U.S. Pat. No. 6,493,491 for an Optical Drop Cable for Aerial Installation; U.S. Pat. No. 7,346,244 for a Coated Central Strength Member for Fiber Optic Cables with Reduced Shrinkage; U.S. Pat. No. 6,658,184 for a Protective Skin for Optical Fibers; U.S. Pat. No. 6,603,908 for a Buffer Tube that Results in Easy Access to and Low Attenuation of Fibers Disposed Within Buffer Tube; U.S. Pat. No. 7,045,010 for an Applicator for High-Speed Gel Buffering of Flextube Optical Fiber Bundles; U.S. Pat. No. 6,749,446 for an Optical Fiber Cable with Cushion Members Protecting Optical Fiber Ribbon Stack; U.S. Pat. No. 6,922,515 for a Method and Apparatus to Reduce Variation of Excess Fiber Length in Buffer Tubes of Fiber Optic Cables; U.S. Pat. No. 6,618,538 for a Method and Apparatus to Reduce Variation of Excess Fiber Length in Buffer Tubes of Fiber Optic Cables; U.S. Pat. No. 7,322,122 for a Method and Apparatus for Curing a Fiber Having at Least Two Fiber Coating Curing Stages; U.S. Pat. No. 6,912,347 for an Optimized Fiber Optic Cable Suitable for Microduct Blown Installation; U.S. Pat. No. 6,941,049 for a Fiber Optic Cable Having No Rigid Strength Members and a Reduced Coefficient of Thermal Expansion; U.S. Pat. No. 7,162,128 for Use of Buffer Tube Coupling Coil to Prevent Fiber Retraction; U.S. Pat. No. 7,515,795 for a Water-Swellable Tape, Adhesive-Backed for Coupling When Used Inside a Buffer Tube (Overton et al.); U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2008/0292262 for a Grease-Free Buffer Optical Fiber Buffer Tube Construction Utilizing a Water-Swellable, Texturized Yarn (Overton et al.); European Patent Application Publication No. 1,921,478 A1, for a Telecommunication Optical Fiber Cable (Tatat et al.); U.S. Pat. No. 7,570,852 for an Optical Fiber Cable Suited for Blown Installation or Pushing Installation in Microducts of Small Diameter (Nothofer et al.); U.S. Pat. No. 7,646,954 for an Optical Fiber Telecommunications Cable (Tatat); U.S. Pat. No. 7,599,589 for a Gel-Free Buffer Tube with Adhesively Coupled Optical Element (Overton et al.); U.S. Pat. No. 7,567,739 for a Fiber Optic Cable Having a Water-Swellable Element (Overton); U.S. Patent Application Publication No. US2009/0041414 A1 for a Method for Accessing Optical Fibers within a Telecommunication Cable (Lavenne et al.); U.S. Pat. No. 7,639,915 for an Optical Fiber Cable Having a Deformable Coupling Element (Parris et al.); U.S. Pat. No. 7,646,952 for an Optical Fiber Cable Having Raised Coupling Supports (Parris); U.S. Patent Application Publication No. US2009/0003785 A1 for a Coupling Composition for Optical Fiber Cables (Parris et al.); U.S. Patent Application Publication No. US2009/0214167 A1 for a Buffer Tube with Hollow Channels, (Lookadoo et al.); U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/466,965 for an Optical Fiber Telecommunication Cable, filed May 15, 2009, (Tatat); U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/506,533 for a Buffer Tube with Adhesively Coupled Optical Fibers and/or Water-Swellable Element, filed Jul. 21, 2009, (Overton et al.); U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/557,055 for an Optical Fiber Cable Assembly, filed Sep. 10, 2009, (Barker et al.); U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/557,086 for a High-Fiber-Density Optical Fiber Cable, filed Sep. 10, 2009, (Louie et al.); U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/558,390 for a Buffer Tubes for Mid-Span Storage, filed Sep. 11, 2009, (Barker); U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/614,692 for Single-Fiber Drop Cables for MDU Deployments, filed Nov. 9, 2009, (Overton); U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/614,754 for Optical-Fiber Loose Tube Cables, filed Nov. 9, 2009, (Overton); U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/615,003 for a Reduced-Size Flat Drop Cable, filed Nov. 9, 2009, (Overton et al.); U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/615,106 for ADSS Cables with High-Performance Optical Fiber, filed Nov. 9, 2009, (Overton); U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/615,698 for Reduced-Diameter Ribbon Cables with High-Performance Optical Fiber, filed Nov. 10, 2009, (Overton); U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/615,737 for a Reduced-Diameter, Easy-Access Loose Tube Cable, filed Nov. 10, 2009, (Overton); U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/642,784 for a Method and Device for Manufacturing an Optical Preform, filed Dec. 19, 2009, (Milicevic et al.); U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/648,794 for a Perforated Water-Blocking Element, filed Dec. 29, 2009, (Parris); and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/649,758 for a UVLED Apparatus for Curing Glass-Fiber Coatings, filed Dec. 30, 2009, (Hartsuiker et al.).

In the specification and/or figures, typical embodiments of the invention have been disclosed. The present invention is not limited to such exemplary embodiments. The figures are schematic representations and so are not necessarily drawn to scale. Unless otherwise noted, specific terms have been used in a generic and descriptive sense and not for purposes of limitation. 

1. A single-mode optical fiber, comprising: a central core positioned within an outer optical cladding, the central core having a radius (r₁) and a positive index difference (Δn₁) with the outer optical cladding; a first intermediate cladding positioned between the central core and the outer optical cladding, the first intermediate cladding having a radius (r₂) and an index difference (Δn₂) with the outer optical cladding; a second intermediate cladding positioned between the first intermediate cladding and the outer optical cladding, the second intermediate cladding having a radius (r₃) and a positive index difference (Δn₃) with the outer optical cladding; wherein the optical fiber has a cable cut-off wavelength of 1260 nanometers or less; wherein, at a wavelength of 1310 nanometers, the optical fiber has a mode field diameter of between 8.6 microns and 9.5 microns with a tolerance of ±0.6 micron; wherein the optical fiber has a zero chromatic dispersion wavelength of between 1300 nanometers and 1324 nanometers; wherein, at the zero chromatic dispersion wavelength, the optical fiber has a chromatic dispersion slope of 0.092 ps/(nm²·km) or less; and wherein, at a wavelength of 1550 nanometers, the optical fiber has an effective area of at least 90 μm².
 2. The optical fiber according to claim 1, wherein the central core has a radius (r₁) of between about 4.5 microns and 6 microns.
 3. The optical fiber according to claim 1, wherein the central core has an index difference (Δn₁) with the outer optical cladding of between about 4.2×10⁻³ and 5.2×10⁻³.
 4. The optical fiber according to claim 1, wherein the first intermediate cladding has a radius (r₂) of between about 6.5 microns and 9.5 microns.
 5. The optical fiber according to claim 1, wherein the first intermediate cladding has an index difference (Δn₂) with the outer optical cladding of between about −3.0×10⁻³ and 1.0×10⁻³.
 6. The optical fiber according to claim 1, wherein the second intermediate cladding has a radius (r₃) of between about 9.5 microns and 12.5 microns.
 7. The optical fiber according to claim 1, wherein the second intermediate cladding has an index difference (Δn₃) with the outer optical cladding of between about 1×10⁻³ and 5.0×10⁻³.
 8. The optical fiber according to claim 1, comprising a depressed cladding having a radius (r₄) and a negative index difference (Δn₄) with the outer optical cladding.
 9. The optical fiber according to claim 8, wherein the depressed cladding has a radius (r₄) of between about 14 microns and 17 microns.
 10. The optical fiber according to claim 8, wherein the depressed cladding has an index difference (Δn₄) with the outer optical cladding of between about −10×10⁻³ and −1×10⁻³.
 11. The optical fiber according to claim 1, wherein, at a wavelength of 1550 nanometers, the optical fiber's effective area is less than about 100 μm².
 12. The optical fiber according to claim 1, wherein the normalized ratio of the optical fiber's effective area to the optical fiber's mode field diameter is at least 1.27.
 13. The optical fiber according to claim 1, wherein, at a wavelength of 1625 nanometers, the optical fiber exhibits bending losses of 0.05 dB/100 turns or less for a radius of curvature of 30 millimeters.
 14. The optical fiber according to claim 1, wherein, at a wavelength of 1550 nanometers, the optical fiber exhibits microbending losses such that the ratio of the optical fiber's microbending losses to a standard single-mode fiber's microbending losses subjected to identical testing conditions is less than about 1.5.
 15. An optical fiber according to claim 1, wherein, at a wavelength of 1550 nanometers, the optical fiber exhibits added loss of less than about 5 dB/km as measured at 23° C. in accordance with the IEC TR62221, Method B (“Fixed-Diameter Sandpaper-Drum Test”).
 16. The optical fiber according to claim 1, wherein the optical fiber satisfies the criteria of the ITU-T G.652 recommendations.
 17. A cable containing one or more optical fibers according to claim
 1. 18. A single-mode optical fiber, comprising: a central core positioned within an outer optical cladding, the central core having a radius (r₁) and a refractive index difference (Δn₁) with the outer optical cladding; a first intermediate cladding immediately surrounding the central core and positioned within the outer optical cladding, the first intermediate cladding having a radius (r₂) and a refractive index difference (Δn₂) with the outer optical cladding; a second intermediate cladding immediately surrounding the first intermediate cladding and positioned within the outer optical cladding, the second intermediate cladding having a radius (r₃) and a positive refractive index difference (Δn₃) with the outer optical cladding; wherein the optical fiber has a cable cut-off wavelength of 1260 nanometers or less; wherein, at a wavelength of 1310 nanometers, the optical fiber has a mode field diameter of between about 8.0 microns and 10.1 microns; wherein the optical fiber has a zero chromatic dispersion wavelength of between about 1300 nanometers and 1324 nanometers; wherein, at the zero chromatic dispersion wavelength, the optical fiber has a chromatic dispersion slope of about 0.092 ps/(nm²·km) or less; and wherein, at a wavelength of 1550 nanometers, the optical fiber has an effective area of at least about 90 μm².
 19. The optical fiber according to claim 18, wherein the central core has (i) a radius (r₁) of between about 4.5 microns and 6 microns and (ii) a refractive index difference (Δn₁) with the outer optical cladding of between about 4.2×10⁻³ and 5.2×10⁻³.
 20. The optical fiber according to claim 18, wherein the first intermediate cladding has (i) a radius (r₂) of between about 6.5 microns and 9.5 microns and (ii) a refractive index difference (Δn₂) with the outer optical cladding of between about −3.0×10⁻³ and 1.0×10⁻³.
 21. The optical fiber according to claim 18, wherein the second intermediate cladding has (i) a radius (r₃) of between about 9.5 microns and 12.5 microns and (ii) a refractive index difference (Δn₃) with the outer optical cladding of between about 1.0×10⁻³ and 5.0×10⁻³.
 22. The optical fiber according to claim 18, wherein, at a wavelength of 1550 nanometers, the optical fiber's effective area is between 90 μm² and about 100 μm².
 23. The optical fiber according to claim 18, wherein the normalized ratio of the optical fiber's effective area to the optical fiber's mode field diameter is at least 1.27.
 24. A single-mode optical fiber, comprising: a central core positioned within an outer optical cladding, the central core having a radius (r₁) and a refractive index difference (Δn₁) with the outer optical cladding; a first intermediate cladding immediately surrounding the central core and positioned within the outer optical cladding, the first intermediate cladding having a radius (r₂) and a refractive index difference (Δn₂) with the outer optical cladding; a second intermediate cladding immediately surrounding the first intermediate cladding and positioned within the outer optical cladding, the second intermediate cladding having a radius (r₃) and a refractive index difference (Δn₃) with the outer optical cladding; a depressed cladding immediately surrounding the second intermediate cladding and positioned within the outer optical cladding, the depressed cladding having a radius (r₄) and a negative refractive index difference (Δn₄) with the outer optical cladding; wherein the optical fiber has a cable cut-off wavelength of 1260 nanometers or less; wherein, at a wavelength of 1310 nanometers, the optical fiber has a mode field diameter of between about 8.0 microns and 10.1 microns; wherein the optical fiber has a zero chromatic dispersion wavelength of between about 1300 nanometers and 1324 nanometers; wherein, at the zero chromatic dispersion wavelength, the optical fiber has a chromatic dispersion slope of about 0.092 ps/(nm²·km) or less; and wherein, at a wavelength of 1550 nanometers, the optical fiber has an effective area of at least about 90 μm².
 25. The optical fiber according to claim 24, wherein the central core has (i) a radius (r₁) of between about 4.5 microns and 6 microns and (ii) a refractive index difference (Δn₁) with the outer optical cladding of between about 4.2×10⁻³ and 5.2×10⁻³.
 26. The optical fiber according to claim 24, wherein the first intermediate cladding has (i) a radius (r₂) of between about 6.5 microns and 9.5 microns and (ii) a refractive index difference (Δn₂) with the outer optical cladding of between about −3.0×10⁻³ and 1.0×10⁻³.
 27. The optical fiber according to claim 24, wherein the second intermediate cladding has (i) a radius (r₃) of between about 9.5 microns and 12.5 microns and (ii) a refractive index difference (Δn₃) with the outer optical cladding of between about 1.0×10⁻³ and 5.0×10⁻³.
 28. The optical fiber according to claim 24, wherein the depressed cladding has (i) a radius (r₄) of between about 14 microns and 17 microns and (ii) a refractive index difference (Δn₄) with the outer optical cladding of between about −10×10⁻³ and −1×10⁻³.
 29. The optical fiber according to claim 24, wherein, at a wavelength of 1550 nanometers, the optical fiber's effective area is between 90 μm² and about 100 μm².
 30. The optical fiber according to claim 24, wherein the normalized ratio of the optical fiber's effective area to the optical fiber's mode field diameter is at least 1.27.
 31. The optical fiber according to claim 1, wherein the central core's refractive index difference (Δn₁) is substantially constant across the central core's radius (r₁).
 32. The optical fiber according to claim 18, wherein the central core's refractive index difference (Δn₁) is substantially constant across the central core's radius (r₁).
 33. The optical fiber according to claim 24, wherein the central core's refractive index difference (Δn₁) is substantially constant across the central core's radius (r₁). 